Maui United Way raises nearly $1M

The Maui United Way raised nearly a million dollars this year that will be distributed to 37 health and human service programs in Maui County.

“We extend our most sincere gratitude to you and thousands of individuals and businesses who have contributed their time, talent and money to Maui United Way,” said Laksmi Abraham, Maui United Way president.

The Maui United Way raised $912,602 this year.

Last year, funds raised provided 55,806 nonprofit services, 3,500 school supplies and 2,100 toys for children in need during the holiday season, Abraham said.

One hundred thousand dollars of that total came from Alexander & Baldwin with Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. General Manager Rick Volner making the check presentation at the agency’s 47th annual meeting and recognition luncheon June 9. His donation was made on behalf of A&B subsidiaries HC&S, A&B Properties, Kahului Trucking and Storage, Grace Pacific and McBryde Resources.

A&B was named the agency’s corporate contributor of the year.

Workers at HC&S, which will be shutting down at the end of the year, also were honored with a Legacy of Giving Award. For nearly 75 years, HC&S employees have donated almost $60,000 a year through their fair share program.

“Since the very beginning, they have continued to give so much to Maui’s nonprofit community and will forever be unduplicated as a pioneer of employee giving in Maui County,” said Saedene Ota, who serves on the A Hui Hou Fund committee, which was created to help the nearly 600 employees of HC&S who will lose their jobs.

The A Hui Hou Fund, led by former County Council Member Alice Lee in partnership with Maui United Way, aims to generate funds to provide displaced workers with emergency assistance, specifically supporting rental, mortgage, utilities and educational needs.

Other honorees at the luncheon were: Alamo and National Car Rental, campaign of the year, enterprise; Bendon Family Foundation, foundation of the year; First Hawaiian Bank, bank of the year; Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, hotel of the year; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui, partner agency of the year; Maui Electric Co., community event of the year (Keiki Tilapia Fishing Tournament); Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui, community partnership of the year; The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, HC&D and Destination Maui, campaign excellence; Target, outstanding new campaign; Sandra Florence, volunteer of the year.

Maui United Way also installed its new officers: Stephen Kealoha, board chairman; Joel Cortez of Oceanic Time Warner Cable, vice chairman; Dean Duque of First Hawaiian Bank, treasurer; and Mark Welling of Enterprise Holdings, secretary.